關於“像”表示“相同或有共同點”的動詞說商榷

Abstract

The dictionary of ≪Xiandai Hanyu Cidian≫ which was published by the publisher “Shangwu Inshuguan”, has now had a big influence on people in China. The dictionary describes the Chinese term “像” as a verb, and gives an example of it, the example is “他的面貌像他哥哥”. We can divide verbs into two different categories, intransitive verbs and transitive verbs, according to the ability to take an object or not. In the sentence mentioned above, “像” is used as a transitive verb that car take an object. In another dictionary named ≪Han·Ying Dacidian≫, there is a different example for the “像”, the example is “姐妹俩长得很像”. In this sentence, “像” can be modified by the adverb “很” which is used to express the degree of something. Furthermore “像” can’t take an object here, so we can say it is actually an adjective. The two different dictionaries describe “像” as a verb, which does not conform to the reality of the term “像”. I argue that they should revise their descriptions of “像” which has two different kinds of characteristics―namely transitive verb and adjective. Generally speaking, verbs, except for the ones which are used in expressing mentality, can not be modified by the adverb “很”. Interestingly enough, we can put the adverb “很” in front of the transitive one “像”. How could the transitive verb “很” be modified by “很”? I maintain that it is deeply related to the characteristics of the verb “像” which can be gradable.